Hi 😃
Sorry for the delay
Chapter 5 :-
Phoenix mall:-
It was well past 4 in the evening, Nidhi stood with Anjie waiting for Ashuthosh …..
"Are you sure, he will come? "Anjie asked looking at Nidhi's saddened face ….
" yes he said , he will come …why he is not picking up my call ?" nidhi grumbled
" Arey yaar , he must be driving …wait for some time and where is this rohan …" Anjie looked around to find Rohan in reception counter making arrangement for a lane to play bowling …..
"Look at this guy …he came here to meet us but all his attention towards bowling …he and his obsession for bowling …seriously" Anjie grumbled.
Just then a message flashed in Nidhi's mobile, it was from Ashuthosh "Sorry, I was driving …so could not pick your call, I almost reached!! Where should I come?"
Instantly she broke into huge grin and she typed "Come to top floor…near play station!"
"Will be there in 5 minute ….bye for now "Ashu replied
After reaching and parking his car in haste …Ashu made his way towards play station ….passing through Sunday crowd and endless elevator…he made his way faster and quicker.
Just as he turned around the corner … his quickened steps stopped abruptly and he freezed on spot …She looked breathtaking in her cherry red slouchy jersey top and blue colored denim …her hair which she always pulled in pony, loosened and was flowing behind her back….her eyes lit up and glowed when she saw him and her face broke into smile which reached till her eyes …..Unable to speak he gazed upon her, basking into radiant beauty of her …
He does not has to say anything, he knew his eyes already conveyed the message , in turn she blushed , her cheeks turned crimson red adding up to her beauty "Ashuthosh ….Meet my friends, she is...Uhmm Anjie …and this Rohan" She stuttered…
Ripping his gaze away from her, he turned towards her friends …" Hi ….." He mumbled shaking his hand with a young man who must be Rohan …
"Hi Ashuthosh Ji …Rohan here, Nidhi's best buddy …umm you both still looked dazed! Jeez" Rohan gaped in wonder
Ashu looked away to hide his flushed face and in turn Nidhi pushed away rohan playfully" will you stop that …" She replied in mock anger which made Anjie chuckle….
" Hello Jijaji ….I am Anjie , your one and only Saali …." Anjie extended her hand …
" Jijaji,,,!" after hearing the word ,delighted smile clambered on his face and right way he turned his gaze towards Nidhi , to find her scowling at Anjie.
" Nice to meet you saali ji …" he shook hand and gave triumphant smile at Nidhi
" Well if you people done with introductions and blushing ( He looked at Nidhi)….Can we move , with great difficulty I managed to arrange one lane for us …Ashuthosh Ji, I do hope , you like bowling "Rohan added smilingly .
"Rohan ...not again, we are not in mood to play your bowling ….such a boring game "Nidhi rolled her eyes.
" Ohh it is must ….else how I will judge whether Ashuthosh is good for you ? Huh..What say Anjie "Rohan winked at Anjie
" Judge!...who asked you to judge Ashuthosh " Nidhi glared at him completely embarrassed.
"How can you forget our pact Nidhi …." Rohan mocked
"What pact …?" Nidhi grumbled
"You really don't remember "Rohan gave out shocked expression
"No ...please enlighten me "Nidhi grimaced
"Ashuthosh ji ….nothing against you, when we entered college days, we made pact ….if we find anyone , the other 2 must approve before we move forward ….I am shocked to find Nidhi forgot about our precious pact , how Nidhi like " Rohan snorted , giving out fake angry look….
Ashuthosh found it pretty amusing looking at fun filled banter between Nidhi and rohan ….
" Do hell with you and your pact …. " Even before Nidhi could continue, Rohan butted in "exactly …that is what happens if you break the pact …..Haven't you read dante's inferno? Don't you know what happened to Lucifer?, he was thrown in pit of hell ….casting his angelic wings , god left him to freeze in his own bitter tears ….such a fallen angel"
" Huh …? ..From where Lucifer jumped in middle here? He was sent to hell not because of breaking some stupid pact ….but because of his outmost arrogance and audacity which you are showing now …. I don't need your approval to be with Ashuthosh …even if you don't approve I will be with him ok" Nidhi looked seriously annoyed
"common yaar …don't get hyper ! Don't you know Rohan like to pull your leg …" Anjie butted in …." Jijaji , don't mind , in dono ka zor ka hai , I am tired of being middle man" She added looking at Ashu , who literally looked lost with various topics jumping in front of him ….
"It's not middle man …Anjie ji , you are our middle woman " Rohan mouthed his word …" how Rohan like jokes …flop , just like him" Anjie replied which made Nidhi break into chuckle followed by Ashuthosh ….
As a gesture, involuntary Nidhi encircled her hand around his fingers ….the gesture was totally unwitting and innocent but it sent ripples of emotions to his inside, her fingers soft , so light like feather clutched his forefinger, holding his head still and catching all his thoughts and consuming it inside..He looked down at smiling form of Nidhi who seemed to be totally unaware of what she has done …. " Chale ….Lets play bowling for sometime " She grinned at him …It is then staring at his dazed eyes Nidhi realized her hand firmly encircled by his fingers…averting her eyes , she tried to loosen the grip but to find him tightening the grip every time she tried ….she looked around nervously to find Anjie and rohan busy checking for bowling shoes "Let me hold your hand Nidhi...Please " he requested certainly ,His husky voice sent thousand butterflies to her belly, staring at his face with sparkling eyes. She nodded her head in affirmation and tightened her grip…..in turn he smiled.
It was big bowling alley, with 8 lanes arranged parlelly on both sides adding up to totally 16 lanes ….Whole place was brightly lit with speakers buzzing latest bollywood mix, an open bar situated in left corner of play area and lot of fluffy, comfy couches arranged facing the play area …whole place was filled with crowd but mostly with young crowd near the playing area, some playing bowling, some simply lying on comfy couches sipping colorful mocktails …..After stuffing her feet in comfy bowling shoes, Nidhi walked side by side, holding Ashuthosh's hand
As they entered Nidhi observed few head rose and many eyes lingered on Ashu for more than minute in total appreciation. He is good-looking there is no 2 way about it but today in his denim and casual wear , with his tussled up hair and that dazzling smile…he looked far more young and totally dazzling
But it sent ripples of irritation making her fume …walking up to couch, she slumped with a frown just when one young waitress came to take their order "Sir, would you like to order something ...We do have an open bar" She gave broad smile looking at Ashu.
Nidhi did not miss the glint in her eyes nor did the sloppy smile plaster just when Ashu stared back at her. It was written on that young waitress face that she is smitten by his looks "jeez" she grumbled…. folding her hands, Nidhi digged her fingernails into her palms and fumed until she felt heat coming through her ears
"Not now ….we will order it later, thank you" Ashu replied unaware of everything
"Sure sir ….I'm glad to be at your service" she mumbled giving out broad smile and made a hasty move
Nidhi felt pang of jealousy cutting through her, unable to resist anymore "Do I really have to put up with this" She grumbled loudly
"You said something …." He turned to her
Composing her irate expression she shrugged her shoulder "what's wrong …!" Ashu gave puzzled look ….
"Nothing …" she mumbled uncertainly
"No, there is something …out with it" Ashu nudged
"Why don't you just turn around and give her one sweet smile ...looks like she is waiting for it from the moment you stepped in" Nidhi grumbled
"Who?" Ashu asked in amused tone
"Who?! The young waitress who is busy ogling you ….." Nidhi fumed some more
Ashu broke into laugh "is it bothering you?" Ashu asked suddenly serious.
" of course not … !" Nidhi replied sullenly
"Oh nidhi ...You can't even lie properly" he chuckled and extending his arm around her shoulder he leaned bit closer to her
Jerking back Nidhi gave him shocked expression "what are you doing? Anjie and rohan are just glance away" Nidhi muttered giving him stern look
"ohh..I am just giving her signal that I already belong to someone" Ashu replied in upbeat voice
She pushed him away and getting up from seat she tried hard to give him annoyed look but she failed as her lips thinned down forming small smile " ohh…you are so bad sometime' She grumbled in fake anger making him chuckle
His eyes glinted with mischievous grin "Now shall we? I need to prove to your friends that I am worthy of you …" Taking her hand Ashu lead her towards playing area where Rohan stood holding a bowling ball to knock out skittle targets
"Ashuthosh ji let me warn you ….Nidhi is big champion in this, even the obsessed player like me sometime loose in front of her"
"What are you two talking about ….?" Nidhi asked suddenly
" I was telling him the story how we became friends ….." Rohan winked, Nidhi narrowed her eyes "Did you? …."
" Not fully ….but I want to tell …" Rohan replied grinningly
"Don't …" Nidhi warned
" I will after the game …." Rohan gave her challenging look
"Can I play first …?" Anjie asked
"Yes you can, Nidhi can go next …me and Ashuthosh ji will go in the end , its one frame game …that means you got 10 rounds to play …" Rohan mentioned.
And the game started, the ball which moved swiftly sometime collided striking all pins in one go but sometime it rolled sideways making them groan in frustration …Ashuthosh liked the game and fun filled banter between the 3 friends which kept him entertained throughout …By the end of the game, he surprised himself by being the topper in score list with 6 striker out of 10 rounds …leaving behind Rohan in 2nd place.
"Well done Ashuthosh ji …." Rohan shook his hands …" I did not expect this …"Rohan gave surprised look just when Nidhi and Anjie joined them….
After comfortably settling down and ordering for some food, Ashuthosh broached the topic "So, Rohan ….I think, you left the topic in between ….how you 2 became friends "
Startled Nidhi looked up and scowled at Rohan "Rohan ...don't you dare" She glared
"Now I want to hear at any cost …." Ashu chuckled
" Don't Rohan ….you are ridiculing yourself "
" Don't worry ...I am fine with being ridiculed " Rohan smirked
" Well Ashuthosh ji …the thing was , when we were in 3rd standard …"
Nidhi closed her ears " I don't want to hear this …."
Anjie chuckled " Nidhi , let him say …..He is making fun of himself "
" ohh yeah …" Rohan scowled " Ashuthosh ji , has every right to know what a shaintan Nidhi is …she made me wear the skirt and ride in that bicycle in front of whole class …." Rohan glared
"You wore a skirt …?" Ashu narrowed his eyes
"Nidhi made me wear just because her friend Anjie got hurt by me …it was purely accident" Rohan added angrily
The stifled laugh escaped through his lips making him break into hiccupping laugh, Both Nidhi and Rohan scowled….After controlling his laugh, Ashu asked "but it does not explain how you became friends …." Ashu asked after a while
"Dint you heard if you cannot beat the devil …take the devil side. That's what happened with me…..instead of getting bullied by Nidhi, I chose to be her friend "Rohan answered in sad tone making Nidhi scowl….
"Very bad …… "Nidhi grumbled making Ashu laugh his heart out
Later as they wrapped up and moved towards parking lot, Ashu informed both Anjie and Nidhi that he will drop them back ….
"Ashuthosh ji ……it's nice meeting you..." Rohan shook his hand just before leaving
"So did I pass in your test …." Ashu winked
Rohan grinned "passed with distinction ….." he replied in mock seriousness making Ashu smile…
"I am not sure whether I should tell this …" Rohan spoke after a brief pause with an unease quietness …Ashu looked at his face curiously
"It's been years since I found her happy like today ….." Rohan smiled edgily
"I didn't get you?" Ashu asked
"You make her happy "Rohan smiled stiffly "just don't leave her side ….ok" he mumbled ….
Ashu looked at Rohan carefully to get better understanding of his statement "No need to think so much on my statement, it was just my way to tell you that ...you both look great together" Rohan winked
Which put smile on Ashu's face and he mumbled "Thank you "
" Take care of her .." Rohan added with genuine fondness
" I will ….always will " Ashuthosh replied…..
It's a busy a day for Ashu, he has 2 surgeries lined up ….both of them complicated and then there is management meeting on enhancing patients care and implementation of peter provonost checklist
Thinking about all this in hurry Ashu came out of shower and quickly changed into light blue button down shirt and thick black trouser
His cell phone buzzed showing an incoming message "who is this now?" he muttered in irritation and went to grab his cell phone.
His face glowed and quick smile plastered on his face "who invented this Monday? Seriously…I want to kill them "
He chuckled looking at nidhi's message and slumped on bed "Google says, our own indo-Aryans, but they are already dead:-P" He typed
"Dead already, Huh! …. Between what are you doing?" Nidhi typed
"Getting ready for hospital…." He typed just then he heard baba calling for him "Ashu beta ….hospital ko dher nahi ho rahi hai, breakfast tayyar hai "
" Haan baba ,coming" he came out and joined his baba for breakfast
" HK nahi hai …."
"use gav jaana pada …kuch kaam pe gaya hai, shayad agle hafte thak laut ayega" BB replied
"You prepared breakfast today….?" Ashu asked munching on crisp buttered toast.
" haan acha nahi hai ??" Bb asked
" acha hai , you should have told me …main karle tha! Why are you straining yourself? "
"arey isme strain leni ki kya baat hai …. Thu thodi muje koyi kaan karne deta , mere bte keliye kaana bana na , acha lagta hai muje" Ashu smiled
His cell phone buzzed again "sorry, I got busy preparing breakfast,….had yours ?" he saw nidhi's message
"Having it now, orange juice and crisp buttered toast "
" yumm …yummm , what is your favorite dish ? "
" why ?"
" just asked out of curiosity"
" hare chane ki khadi with methi mutiya "
" huh ! Such a long complicated name …never heard of it before" he laughed out loud
BB who was observing Ashu silently, smiled to himself " mera beta bada khush hai aaj kal ?" BB mentioned looking at Ashu
With Flushed face ashu looked up from his mobile " ohh … nidhi was asking something baba"
" haan samaj main aagaya …" BB gave him amused look
" tho kya ho raha hai ?...last time you told me ,you are seeing her"
Putting aside his mobile Ashu replied slowly "yes , I am seeing her …" and after a couple of second he continued "Baba ,I am completely stranger to her and she need time to trust me …we should get to know each other better ….you know to take any step forward" he replied carefully
Baba smiled "during our times, we did not even got the chance to look at our prospective spouse till wedding ….now I can see time has changed ... in this era of social networking and iphones I believe this is how it work ? Huh …." BB replied in bit of rumbling voice
Extending his arm, Ashu took his BB's hand "Baba, I don't want to pressurize her"
Shaking his head, BB replied " arey nahi nahi , you should not pressurize, any relationship should not start under any thrust …but she is not the end …it's not that you will not get anyone else! There are many proposals ..." BB's words cut short by ashu's words
"I don't want anyone else baba" Ashu huffed out uneasily
BB nodded his head "I am just worried Ashu, I don't want you to get hurt in middle of this, I don't want you to repent by taking this step …"
Ashu smiled "I don't repent spending time with Nidhi baba ….I like her "
Raising his eye brow BB smiled "I can see that it is more than like …"
With flushed face, Ashu looked away "I ...I am done here, I will go to hospital …." He stuttered
BB laughed " Bas , aisi hi khush rehna …." Bb patted his back.
It was well past 8 when she logged off for the day "Good work Nidhi ….I liked your detailed analysis sheet but it will be good if you prepare presentation with bulletin points ….you know we can pass it on to business"
Nidhi smiled "thank you Shrini ….I will see what I can do "
"Good, so can I expect it tomorrow in my inbox" her boss asked
"I will try …I might need some more time since I need to submit another project of your's by tomorrow "
"Learn to prioritize your work Nidhi ….send me updated PPT by tomorrow EOD along with other project details …" he replied making Nidhi scowl
"I can't do everything in one day Shrini…." She whimpered
"we are nearing to appraisal...you delivery timelines will go on toss if you don't submit requested details on time , think …think" he replied giving out crooked smile
Looking at his retrieving back, Nidhi grumbled, grimaced scowled and muttered in angry voice "hell with this office" and In irritation she walked out of office, taking out her cell phone she saw there were 2 miss call and a message from Ashu " I can't meet you today , sorry caught up in management meeting , will call you as soon as I get out of here "
Her face fell "Ok ... :( "
And after a couple minute she typed again "Call me once you are free, did not heard from you from morning, missing you …"
Ashu who saw this message smiled "sure …give me another 30 minutes, I will call you ….bye for now "
With a heavy sigh, she stepped out on cold freezing night and walked towards parking lot …
She was about to get inside the car when she heard him, the same familiar voice which haunted most of her nights , the voice smooth like velvet but full of lies …the voice which broke her heart and left her shattered and bruised…
Right now she is not ready to face him nor wanted anything to do with him …her inside burned and kind of morbidity engulfed her when she came face to face with him….
His smile broadened and he took his steps carefully towards her "you are looking nice nidhi ….it's been ages since I last seen you!" he gave out husky laugh
Her lips twitched and thinned down forming fake smile "yes, it's been ages since I heard from you Amar …" she whispered.
He did not missed the bitterness in her voice nor the gnawing guilt which started crushing his inside …giving weak nervous smile he nodded "yes long time …days pass so fast! I believe the last time I saw you is 4 yrs back "
"Yes 4 yrs …. just a month before your marriage" Nidhi gave quick smile.
Amar looked down and then at her face …trying to trace tiny bit element of reaction from her side, but there was none….
"Ummm…I came to Mumbai for some work, so thought of meeting you …are you free now? I was thinking ..."
Nidhi cut short his words "I don't entertain going out with someone like you nor I want to waste my time…." She spat her words
He cringed and his face revealed the foot prints of agony she is inflicting on him …
"Beside it's not good idea to pursue your past when you are away from your wife…it might fetch you great deal if she comes to know about it, it's an advice, drop it if you don't like" she added bitterly
Gasping, respiring in crushing pain …he looked up "Nidhi ...please...I ….I miss you, at least for old time sake spend some time with me"
"Miss me …!" she glared at him
"When you cheated and left me for someone else, at least I had some sort of respect towards you …. Whatever you did to me, all your selfish acts I summed it and let it go thinking that you were in love …but now I doubt that…." She scowled
" you are getting it wrong nidhi" he tried to convince
"what is wrong? Who is wrong? ….now you are ready to cheat on her also …why ? Already homesick Amar huh?? That you are stepping in same old path" she scowled "I believe some people don't change" she added harshly…
"I am not here to relive old moments or to make any new moments with you …" he snapped
"Then what you want?" she cut short his words and gave him stern look
"I want you to forgive me …..I am sorry, for everything ….I don't deserve to be forgiven but still, here I am …I feel awful when I think about you; I heard that you never moved on …..Do you still love me?" he asked in anxious voice
Her eyes flared "don't dream so high Amar, I am not fool to keep on loving you when you decided to cheat on me …." She scoffed
"You hate me?!" he asked in low voice, it was statement but question too
"No" came her reply ….
"Why? I deserve to be hated"
"I don't feel anything towards you ….I don't care whether you deserve hell or heaven, you are nothing to me" She replied sharply giving out triumphant look "But what price you paid to achieve that Ms Nidhi verma!" her inside squirmed making her crawl back inside her agony
Taking a step back, he gave out nervous smile "I got it …." He replied in hurtful voice.
"Did you found anyone ...after …huh after me?" he asked carefully
"I don't share my relationship status with strangers…. it's better if you understand that" she replied bit coldly
He smiled "you haven't changed a bit….! You are still you, ready to pounce on anyone who stands beside you" he gave toothy grin
When she stood still not even giving welcoming glance …..He looked up "I don't want to keep you for long, just wanted to see you, it's nice meeting you after long time" he replied and stepped away from her "I will make a move from here , you …you do take care bye" he replied sullenly
Standing there nidhi remembered a moment like this, when for the last time she saw him disappearing from her sight out of her life...that time it nearly destroyed her, that moment there was longing along with pain…there was sensation for him even when he left her, like dull sensation constantly burning, aching and finally accepting the pain in full force until it became part of her being….
It took her days, months to recapture her lost self again and construct her shattered world piece by piece and when she came back to her senses, she cut of all contact with him, it had not been easy but she had forced herself to do so ….
Now while as he walked away from her, she stared at him for whole minute and realized that there not even grain of feeling left for him in her heart….
Conjuring her numbed voice "Amar…." She called in upbeat voice
His steps stopped abruptly and his look turned towards her questioningly "I found someone …." She smiled, her eyes twinkled and her whole face lit up remembering Ashuthosh.
Taking his steps towards her, Amar looked at her "does that mean, I am forgiven? "He asked slowly
"You can take it like that" she smiled broadly
His tightened chest exhaled and expanded with joy…." You deserve all happiness in this world nidhi …it's just I was not the one to give that, I messed up your life" he regretted
"Anyways I don't want keep you for long, stay happy" Amar smiled
"Sure, I will …." Nidhi replied and stepped away from him giving him one last glance …..
Story might look bit dragged but i assure you from next chapter , story will pick up speed 😳
there is surprise waiting in next part ☺️☺️
Let me know if you people want a teaser , I will give 😉
Please do comment how it came out and like ..Thank you 🤗
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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